February 2026 arrives with more than the usual calendar of tributes, lectures, and cultural events. This year marks a full century since the United States first formally committed itself to recognizing and teaching Black history in public life—a journey that began in 1926 with the launch of “Negro History Week” by historian Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson and the organization that would become today’s Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).
The theme chosen by ASALH for 2026, “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” frames this moment not simply as another annual observance, but as a historic anniversary of a national decision: to acknowledge, preserve, and teach the stories of Black Americans as a central part of the country’s shared history.
From One Week to a National Tradition
When Woodson and his colleagues introduced Negro History Week in 1926, the goal was both bold and necessary. At a time when Black contributions were largely excluded from textbooks, classrooms, and public discourse, the initiative sought to correct the record and challenge the idea that American history could be told without Black voices.
The week was strategically placed in February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass—two figures closely associated with the fight against slavery and for civil rights. What began as a focused educational effort in schools and community organizations gradually grew in scope and influence.
By the 1970s, the commemoration expanded into what is now known as Black History Month, officially recognized at the federal level and observed across the country. Today, it is marked by institutions ranging from universities and museums to libraries, media organizations, and government agencies.
More Than a Celebration
ASALH leaders say the 2026 theme is meant to shift the conversation from routine observance to historical reflection.
“This isn’t just about marking another February,” the organization has emphasized in its messaging. “It’s about recognizing 100 years of intentional work to make Black history visible, teachable, and unavoidable in the American story.”
The centennial invites Americans to reflect on why such a commemoration was needed in the first place—and why it still matters. While progress has been made in expanding historical narratives, debates over curriculum, representation, and whose stories are told continue to shape classrooms and public institutions today.
The Legacy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson
Often called the “Father of Black History,” Woodson believed that a society that ignores or distorts the history of a people also undermines their place in the present and future. He argued that education was not just about information, but about dignity, identity, and power.
His work laid the foundation for generations of scholars, educators, and community leaders who have continued to push for a more complete and honest telling of American history—one that includes the experiences, struggles, innovations, and leadership of Black Americans.
A National Moment of Reflection
Across the country, 2026 is expected to bring expanded programming, special exhibits, academic conferences, and community dialogues centered on the centennial. Many institutions are using the occasion to not only honor historical figures, but also to examine how Black history has been taught, remembered, and sometimes contested over the past 100 years.
For educators and students, the milestone serves as a reminder that Black history is not a separate chapter, but a core thread of the American story—woven into the nation’s political, cultural, economic, and social fabric.
Looking Forward
As the United States marks this centennial, the message from historians and cultural leaders is clear: remembering Black history is not just about the past—it is about shaping a more informed and inclusive future.
A century after Negro History Week first challenged the nation to look more honestly at itself, February 2026 stands as both a tribute to that vision and a call to continue the work. The question is no longer whether Black history belongs in America’s public memory, but how deeply and faithfully it will be preserved, taught, and understood in the century to come.
